Newcastle have had a little bit of good news since the 5-0 defeat at the Etihad on Saturday, and that is that Dutch International right-back, one of our most consistent performers this season, has a very good chance to be fit for the game at St. James’ Park against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Daryl Janmaat – should be fit for Saturday
Daryl picked up a groin strain in the second half, and since we have only five fit regular defenders right now, including goalkeeper Tim Krul, it looked like it was even more bad news for the club.
But John Carver says it doesn’t look too bad, and it will be monitored this week, but it looks like he should be able to play this Saturday.
We like Daryl because he is plain-spoken and he pulled no punches in his interview with the Chronicle today:
“We say sorry, we have to apologise because it’s not good enough.” “To come here you know it will be a hard evening.” “If you give a stupid goal away in the first minute you know it will make it even more difficult.”
“Yes of course they are world-class, but it is still disappointing.” “We have to do better than this.” “City don’t need extra favours but that’s what they got.” “We shoot ourselves in the foot.” “It’s stupid. There are no positives.”
“We have to work hard for next week and prepare ourselves.” “We have to give the fans something back – and that’s three points.” “There were some hard words said after the game, but that’s to stay inside.”
“It’s important to get three points for them against Aston Villa back at home.”
Daryl also shows some leadership capabilities and this season we have precious few players on the field who show any leadership at all.
That’s another reason why Siem de Jong’s injury problems have hit Newcastle this season because Sien is already a vice-captain of the club, and very likely a future captain – if he can stay fit.
And talking of injuries, Newcastle continue at the top of the Premier League injury table with 8 injured players, and two ahead of second placed QPR, Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
But hopefully we will have Remy Cabella fit again for Saturday, although Newcastle’s injuries continue to mount up this season.
The people we feel really sorry for are the traveling fans, who have had to put up with yet another inept performance from Newcastle, and there’s been far too many of those this season.
We need a win against Aston Villa on Saturday, and that would put us 13 points above Villa with only 11 games to play.
It would also be a huge relief to Newcastle fans, who have seen only win in the last eight games.
Comments welcome.
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116 comments so far
Our Toon
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:11 PM
Comment #1P
Did you watch Shearers analysis of the game on motd…he talked about the lack of pressure on the ball, Toure had was allowed to advance 10 yards and took 4 touches whilst Jack Colback just looked at him. He wasn’t the only one to blame because no one pressed Citeh! There 3rd or 4th goal you have both Colback and Sissoko barely jogging back whilst others are busting a gut to get back. It’s was a shocking performance all round.
as for Perez….the time has come for him to actually have some end product, it’s great that he’s good on the ball and does the odd trick but what has he actually contributed over the past 2 months? Any goals or assists? I know he’s young but he’s the same age as a Berahino!!
firebug666
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:13 PM
Comment #2Same old same old from the players,
Sorry, we must work harder, we were not good enough, shot ourselves in the foot.
Somebody needs to step up and write them some new drivel to spout, it’s getting ridiculous now how often they spout the same rubbish after each defeat.
Go toon gooooo
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:15 PM
Comment #3Average right back.Needs replacement.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:16 PM
Comment #4I hope we dont rush Janmaat back incase he gets injured its okay we have Santon to play instead….. oh wait!!!
Not sure I would want to risk Raylor at full back for a full game either so Anita might need to play RB Jeezo !!
I think Villa will be difficult Sinclair , Benteke and Weiman can cause us problems Ron Vlaar is suspended for them though so I can see us causing them plenty of problems
I would go a straight out 442 if Janmaat is fit
Krul
Janmaat
Colo
Willo
Haidara
Sissoko
Abeid
Obertan
Sammy
Riviere
Cisse
With Vlaar suspended they dont have the aerial threat so we should be getting it to our pacy wingers and Riviere and Cisse are good in the air let them go for it can always bring on Perez later on against tired legs
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:17 PM
Comment #5Against ManC it was suggested that JC tried to keep things compact in the middle in order to prevent them from playing through us, but it didn’t work and limited our own abilities down the flanks. I am not advocating that he changes the formation to a 3-4-2-1 in particular, but Liverpool have more recently changed the way they play because of the need to adapt to the players that are available and in good form.
Against Spurs they won the game from midfield and the option of stretching the opposition wide or playing through the centre. We have more than enough ability to create a solid defensive shape with a quick attack and not the astonishingly naive attacking strategy that is currently being played, to ‘show’ how different he is to the previous manager.
http://www.whoscored.com/Articles/bsdp6rgozeqmy6fx0ooorw/Show/Team-Focus-The-Stats-Behind-Liverpools-Successful-Formation-Change
firebug666
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:19 PM
Comment #6Our Toon
To be fare against Citeh, Perez was playing in the left back position, and Gouffran the same on the right, while Janmaat and Haidara had been pulled inside with Coloccini and Williamson.
What was that all about? Six in defence, and none of them comfortable with the positions.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Comment #7@Lindisfarne
That does sound good but you forget Rodgers actually knows what he is doing with tactics and formations Carver does not
neverbeento wembly
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:23 PM
Comment #8Heard it all before, wonder which player will read this old script after next disaster
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:25 PM
Comment #9What do players and Managers / Coaches mean by ‘work hard’?
It never seems to make much difference and only brings to mind that they will put their bodies under more physical duress, which causes more injuries. Shearer also described the Pulis effect was down to the work done on the training pitch, repeating the same routines so they became a natural part of the way the team played the game. This does not strike me as particularly hard, as it requires concentration, an appreciation of space and the ability to predict the whereabouts of a team member.
Our Toon
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:30 PM
Comment #10Lindisfarne
There’s nothing wrong with the formation it’s more to do with the instructions. Playing 3 at the is a tough call as some adapt and others don’t. …look at man utd. The other major issue is That we don’t have 3 first team CBs
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:34 PM
Comment #11Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Thats why John Carver is a Dosser, he is prepared to forgo any self pride to habituate a position that is unsuitable, in a reckless and futile attempt to prove his ability to mold a team that is free of defensive responsibility.
toon kk
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:37 PM
Comment #12It shouldn’t matter about certain aspects of training because alot of the basics are missing from our game, like closing down and poor passing decisions, which is down to a poor footballer. Unfortunately our squad has far too many of them.
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:39 PM
Comment #13Our Toon
I think you mentioned that before, I more interested in highlighting the fact that Rodgers has changed the style of play according to what he has available and in so doing has changed the formation. Rather than being dogmatic about the system and making the players fit.
p
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:43 PM
Comment #14Firebug – they may also fear Newcastle players wanted to prove a point. Then there is the new manager effect at Villa. There are always psychological angles.
Personally, I hoping Villa is a bit like Fulham, they are in the crap and then they bring in exactly the wrong person to address the wrong problem. But we will see.
It’s up to the players to respond and I for one can not predict what the outcome will be. They certainly need these 3 points against Villa. Get them and it takes the pressure off for a relegation scrap.
OT – I don’t get MOTD where I live but from what I hear Shearer’s a pretty terrible pundit. That said, I agree there was not pressing in midfield but, I still think Colback was marginally bothered.
I think you are being a bit harsh on Perez, he is too isolated up there. He looks after the ball well but there is just no one around him
BandB
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:56 PM
Comment #15Didn’t Carver say they’d be working hard, not taking their feet off the gas, not resting on their laurels last Monday, as they took time off ahead of the City game?
hibbit
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:01 PM
Comment #16our toon we don’t have any prem / first team CB
Ibizatoon
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:01 PM
Comment #17BandB…He did indeed.
However, this week they’re concentrating on not being total buffoons. I’m eager to see the results.
firebug666
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:01 PM
Comment #18BandB
That’s just it though, you just cannot believe a single word from anyone connected to the club.
From boardroom to player, different person, same drivel!
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:02 PM
Comment #19I am massively going to contradict myself by preposing a formation and fitting players in to it, but it is meant as more as an exercise in alternative thinking, that would spark a different dynamic to the way we play.
———————Sammy
————-Sissoko—–Cabella
Haidara—–Abeid—–Anita—–Janmaat
—–Colback—Colloccini—R.Taylor
———————–Krul
I honestly don’t know who to play upfront but do not want Cisse or Perez starting and Sammy has the ability to hold up the ball. I don’t like Sissoko in a holding midfield role as his size is more effective breaking up the opposition play and driving forward in the last third. Plus both he and Cabella are used to breaking out wide, including Sammy to make a interchanging attacking trio. The defensive seven is determined by the lack of options and the need to not play Willo.
BandB
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:06 PM
Comment #20Thanks Ibiza,
Just looking for assurance it’s all in hand.
Firebug,
We are indeed the Wizards of Drivel.
Ibizatoon
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:09 PM
Comment #21BandB…Honestly, stop being such a worrier.
Charnely, Carver and all the lads have assured us, what’s to worry about?
All is in hand. My question is, what is IT that they have in hand?
Ibizatoon
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:10 PM
Comment #22Firebug / BandB…At last, the consistency we’ve been calling for!
Consistent drivel.
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:12 PM
Comment #23Ibizatoon
This weak they are practicing identifying and clearly articulating (passing) the problem to reach a desired solution (goal). In order to avoid whispering behind each others backs (disappearing) whilst passing of responsibility to a more susceptible member of the team….Penalty!!!
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:13 PM
Comment #24# This week (!!)
Our Toon
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:13 PM
Comment #25Lindisfarne
I hear what your saying bud, it would be good if we did have a plan b but we just don’t have the numbers or the quality in the squad. Raylor shouldn’t be anywhere near the first XI he wasn’t good enough before his injury and isn’t after his injury.
Ibizatoon
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:14 PM
Comment #26Lindisfarne…Well caught 🙂
Although I imagine this weeks practicing will be as weak as the previous weeks.
Our Toon
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:19 PM
Comment #27P
I don’t think I am being over critical of Perez, like all new players the opposition have worked him out and he needs to start showing more quality where it actually matters. Like I said he’s young but so is Berahino (won’t use Kane as an example) WBA hardly set the world alight as an attacking force yet Berahino shows more quality in the areas that really matter.
At what point do we as fans stop making excuses for players? Perez has been a fantastic signing for us but over the last 2 months he hasn’t scored and hasn’t got an assist that’s a fact. Shearer may well be a poor pundit but he called it as he and everyone else saw it….no pressure on Citeh and Colback n sissoko didn’t help out at all…jogging back whilst team mates need help from midfield runners isn’t good for either player
BandB
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:20 PM
Comment #28John,
You ask folks to get behind you and then complain they talking behind your back.
We can’t win, can we?
barkel
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:21 PM
Comment #29We really need to pick up points very soon, a win at Villa is a must. I’m more worried about relegation going into the last 12 games than the year we went down. 6points in 2015, that’s just about off relegation form. S*nderland, Leicester, QPR & Villa the only teams with less points than us. We don’t exactly have an easy run of games coming up. After villa it’s Utd, Everton, Arsenal, the mackems, Liverpool, Spurs, Swansea .. Where are we picking up points in that lot?
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:22 PM
Comment #30Our Toon
I didn’t fully take on board what you said earlier; if you kept the same formation what instructions should be being implemented and by who?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:24 PM
Comment #31I know we got stuffed and didn’t play that well – but – did anyone notice that we tried to play football all game without resorting to hoofing the ball upfield all the time.
What has got my goat is why do they/did they not try and play on the deck against teams likes Stoke
BandB
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:27 PM
Comment #32Charlie,
I didn’t notice us resorting to getting the ball up field very much at all.
Transfer Sage
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Comment #33This weekend was horrendous, we were shockingly bad. No effort and we have up after 28 seconds when we conceded the penalty.
I don’t mind the formation, we have only got 4 fit defenders so can’t do much there.
Colback and Sissoko have been poor of late, sissoko looks fed up of the club (who could blame him).
I’d personally have Krul in goal, standard back 4 of fit players we have. Then 3 in the middle with 3 up top. Middle three would be Abeid, Sissoko and Cabella, not many other options. I’d then have a front three of sammy left, cisse Middle and obertan right.
Need to have genuine width as it stretches teams, we don’t have the quality to pass through a compact midfield. Perez looks shattered and struggling with little support.
I’d say we need to make sure cabella and Sissoko get closer to cisse and when we attack down one flank the other winger gets in the box with the full back giving the option of width.
Overall we have an average squad with fee goal scoring players and a poor management set up. Nothing good will come of this. Carver has massively gone down in my opinion, was set to give him a chance but he’s been abismal and talks more rubbish that pardew.
To cut a long story short…more pressure without the ball, close down and get numbers forward when attacking to support the forward.
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:29 PM
Comment #34Lee Charnley Bunga Party @4
Sissoko doesn’t have the defensive discipline to be a holding midfield player which is required in a 442 with running wingers. We have not seen Riviere and Cisse playing together and I do think we may be missing a trick without a classic strike partnership.
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:33 PM
Comment #35Transfer Sage
I you hoping Cabella becomes the next David Silva?
p
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:38 PM
Comment #36Our Toon, well it seemed the tactics were that if we get enough players behind the ball, we don’t need to press. At the beginning at least, we seemed to get the players behind the ball, they were just miles off any City players. Surely Carver should have seen that and addressed that for the second half – that said after the 5th goal, I turned the telly off.
As I say, it happens, this is nothing new to Newcastle, no worse than a few other capitulations in recent times (Southampton away springs to mind).
I do wonder what is going on here? Perhaps we need a few more leaders on the pitch? Or at least people prepared to stick in.
One thing that strikes me is that every time we looked like we were going somewhere a foul came in from City (hence the 3 yellows they picked up), we do not seem to have that cynicism in our game. Take Williamson for example who for the 4th goal (I think it was) just jogged along behind Aguero for 30 years or so with no effort to challenge.
I have said this before, Mike strikes me as a smashing bloke but he really is a liability.
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:41 PM
Comment #37I agree the natural formation for NUFC would seem to be 433, with a defence made from who is available. Our best three midfield players (in no particular positions) would be Sissoko, Colback and Abeid. I would like to see Riviere and Cisse play together with Cabella in behind with the freedom to exploit either wing.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 23, 2015 at 5:51 PM
Comment #38BandB
It went up field but came back faster with interest
Ibizatoon
Feb 23, 2015 at 6:06 PM
Comment #392015 form table
1: Liverpool DWWWDWW – 17 points
2: Arsenal LWWWLWW – 15 points
3: Chelsea LWWDWWD – 14 points
4: Southampton WWWLWDL – 13 points
5: Tottenham WLWWWLD – 13 points
6: Man City WDLDDWW – 12 points
7: Man Utd DLWWDWL – 11 points
8: Stoke DLWWDLW – 11 points
9: Crystal Palace DWWLWDL – 11 points
10: West Brom DWDLDWD – 10 points
11: Hull WLLLDWW – 10 points
12: Swansea DDLWDLW – 9 points
13: West Ham DDWLDDD – 8 points
14: Everton LDDWDLD – 7 points
15: Burnley DWLLDLD – 6 points
16: Newcastle DLLWDDL – 6 points
17: Sunderland LLLWDLD – 5 points
18: Leicester DWLLLLD – 5 points
19: QPR DLLLLWL – 4 points
20: Aston Villa DLLLLLL – 1 point
Not encouraging in the slightest.
BandB
Feb 23, 2015 at 6:08 PM
Comment #40Charlie,
It’s at least good that the club can rise above desperate measures.
Other club’s might have resorted to replacing their manager.
Or resorted to buying footballers in January when we were already obviously light.
Or resorted to trying to win silverware.
But we have no truck with such courting of easy popularity.
We are above such trivialities.
It makes one proud.